U.S. inspected Sharps Model 1853 carbines are rare; the Army only purchased an estimated 250 carbines and issued them for trials to the 1st and 2nd Dragoon regiments on the frontier, manufactured c. 1854-1857, per "Flayderman's Guide" (9th Edition, 5F-010.5). These U.S. carbines were exposed to harsh conditions, with limited surviving examples today. The included Sharps factory letter, dated May 26, 1982, states, "This gun was invoiced July 24, 1855, but the recipient is not noted. This was a Model 1853 Slant Breech Saddle Ring Carbine. It was apparently a military gun with Army finish of service type. It had a round barrel of 32 bore [.52 caliber]. Unfortunately there is no other information in the factory records." This example has an "S" sub-inspection mark stamped on the left barrel flat, with an "M" on the lever catch, lightly visible "JPC" inspection initials stamped ahead of faint remnants of an oval script inspection cartouche on the left of the stock wrist. Fitted with a brass barrel band, patchbox, and buttplate, the early pattern long iron saddle bar and ring, brass blade front sight and folding leaf rear sight (absent slide). The top of the barrel is marked "SHARP'S RIFLE/MANUFG.CO./HARTFORD. CONN." in three lines ahead of the rear sight, "SHARP'S/PATENT/1852" in three lines on the lock, and "SHARPS/PATENT/1848" on the upper receiver tang. Matching serial number "16042" marked on the upper receiver tang and bottom of the barrel. The consignor indicated this carbine was purchased from a Grover Johnson on October 6, 1968. Provenance: The Grover Johnson Collection; Private Collection

Good as military issued, with brown and gray patina visible on the iron, some patches of pitting/oxidation, legible markings in the iron, and attractive golden aged patina on the brass. Wood is fair as sanded and refinished, with numerous scattered dents, scuffs and scratches, various cracks and re-glued/filled in repairs, a repaired spliced section on the left wrist area, and remains structurally sound otherwise. Absent rear sight slide piece. The hammer occasionally slips out of full cock, absent pellet primer piece, otherwise mechanically functions.